Roll clamp

ABSTRACT

1. IN A ROLL CLAMP INCLUDING A FRAME AND A PAIR OF OPPOSED ARM STRUCTURES MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME ACTUATABLE TO CLAMP ONTO A ROLL, SAID ARM STRUCTURES MOUNTING AT THE FORWARD EXTREMITIES THEREOF CURVED CLAMPING A PADS FOR CLAMPING AGAINST SUBSTANTIALLY DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE SIDES OF A ROLL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A CONSTRUCTION FOR AT LEAST ONE ARM STRUCTURE IN THE FORM OF AN ARM BASE WHICH IS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR POWERED ADJUSTABLE MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OPPOSING ARM STRUCTURE TO PLACE THE ARM STRUCTURE AT DIFFERENT POSITIONS WITHIN A RANGE OF RELATIVELY ADJUSTED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE OPPOSING ARM STRUCTURE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CLAMPING ONTO A ROLL, SAID ARM BASE HAVING A FIXED POSITION ON THE FRAME IN A GIVEN ADJUSTED POSITION FOR SAID ONE ARM STRUCTURE WITHIN SAID RANGE, A FORWARD ARM SECTION PROJECTING FORWARDLY OF THE ARM BASE MOUNTING THE CURVED CLAMPING PAD, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE FORWARD ARM SECTION ON THE ARM BASE FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A PIVOT AXIS LOCATED TOWARD SAID FRAME FROM SAID PAD AND THE LOAD CENTER OF A ROLL CLAMPED BETWEEN THE PADS OF THE TWO ARM STRUCTURES, SAID PIVOT AXIS ACCOMMODATING FREE SWINGING OF THE FORWARD EXTREMITY OF THE FORWARD ARM SECTION IN THE SAME GENERAL DIRECTIONS AS THE DIRECTIONS IN WHICH THE ARM BASE IS MOVABLE. FIRST LIMIT MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE FORWARD ARM SECTION AND ARM BASE LIMITING SWINGING MOVEMENT OF THE FORWARD ARM SECTION RELATIVE TO SAID ARM BASE IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE OPPOSING ARM STRUCTURE BEYOND A DEFINED FIRST LIMIT POSITION FOR THE FORWARD ARM SECTION, AND SECOND LIMIT MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE FORWARD ARM SECTION AND ARM BASE LIMITING SWINGING MOBEMENT OF THE FORWARD ARM SECTION RELATIVE TO THE ARM BASE IN A DIRECTION TOWARDS SAID OPPOSING ARM STRUCTURE BEYOND A DEFINED SECOND LIMIT POSITION, (THE) THE FORWARD ARM SECTION HAVING AN T-REST POSITION ON THE ARM BASE WHICH THE ARM SECTION OCCIPIES ABSENT HOLDING ONTO A ROLL AND WITH SAID ONE ARM STRUCTURE POSITIONED IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS WITHIN SAID RANGE OF ADJUSTED POSITIONS, SAID AT-REST POSITION FOR THE FORWARDW ARM SECTION BEING INTERMEDIATE SAID FIRST AND SECOND LIMIT POSITIONS, THE ARM SECTION IN SAID AT-REST POSITION PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM SAID FRAME TO BE IN A POSITION TO ENGAGE A LOAD, AND BIASING MEANS YIELDABLY HOLDING SAID FORWARD ARM SECTION IN ITS SAID AT-REST POSITION, SAID FORWARD ARM SECTION DURING INITIAL POSITIONING OF THE ROLL CLAMP ADJACENT A ROLL THUS BEING AFFORDED LIMITED PLAY IN SWINGING FROM ITS SAID AT-REST POSITION TOWARD ONE OF ITS LIMIT POSITIONS.

(5d 9d 7 5 Jun. 21, 1975 s. a. FARMER 23.309

ROLL CLAIP Origin]. 711.6 April 10, 1969 Sfanley EF'ormer INVENTOR 234%4 KAAlZZEZZ.

United States Patent 28,309 ROLL CLAMP Stanley E. Farmer, Gresham,0reg., assignor to Cascade Corporation, Portland, Oreg.

Original No. 3,690,714, dated Sept. 12, I972, Ser. No.

67,235, Aug. 26, 1970, which is a continuation of abandoned applicationSer. No. 814,919, Apr. 10, 1969. Application for reissue Mar. 7, 1973,Ser. No. 338,838

Int. Cl. 1366f 9/18 [1.8. Cl. 294-88 6 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets [],appears in the ..riginal arent but forms no part of thisreissue specification: matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue. u.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A roll clamp comprising a pair of concavecurved pads for clamping onto opposite sides of a r'olhA pair of opposedarm structures extending rearwardly from the pads toward a frame supportthe pads in spaced opposed and facing relationship. The arm structuresare movable toward and away from each other on the frame, whereby thepads may be brought against opposite sides of a roll. At least one armstructure includes an arm base which is mounted on the frame, a forwardarm section, and means pivotally mounting the forward arm section on thearm base enabling it to swing in each of opposite directions untilreaching defined limit positions. The pivot means is located toward saidframe from said pads, and from the load center of any roll clamped bythe pads. A spring biases the forward arm section to place it in anintermediate at rest position between these two limit positions.

This application is a continuation of applicants prior copendingapplication Ser. No. 814,919, filed Apr. 10, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a roll clamp, such as might be used with alift truck or other load-handling agency.

In handling rolls, such as heavy paper rolls, it is conventional to usea roll clamp having a pair of opposed. relatively movable arms with padsthereon which may be clamped against opposite sides of the load and thenmaneuvered as required to move the load. The roll clamp may-8e mountedon a vehicle such as a lift truck, with the clamping arms projectingforwardly from the truck. In using the truck, the operator must move thearms away from each other a sufiicient distance to enable a roll to fitbetween the pads on the arms and then drive the vehicle forwardly toplace the pads on either side of a roll. The clamping arms and pads arethen moved toward each other to grasp the roll.

The spacing of the arms, and positioning of the pads to obtain properstraddling relationship are generally matters of approximation for thedriver, and the accuracy of such are dependent on the drivers skill. Ifthe driver does not judge the arm and pad spacing and positioning withrespect to the roll correctly, the forward ends of the arms and padsmight scrape the roll being picked up, or adjacent rolls, with resultantroll damage.

This invention is bottomed on the concept of permitting limited swingingin the forward end of a clamping arm on which a pad is mounted, againstthe biasing of a biasing means, whereby an operator is not required toexactly laterally space and relatively position the arms and pads withrespect to a roll prior to picking it up. Obviously, this results inreduced roll damage, and is a factor in promoting faster roll handling.

Thus, a general object of the invention is to provide. In a roll clamp anovel clamping arm supporting a roll-en gaging pad, which arm features aswingable forward section.

Another object is to provide such a roll clamp where the forward sectionof the clamping arm is permitted to swing outwardly away from an opposedclamping arm toward a defined limit position, against the urging ofbiasing means which tends to maintain the section in an at rest positionwhere the section is disposed inwardly of the position it has onreaching such limit position.

Yet another object is to provide such a roll clamp where the forwardseection of the clamping arm is permitted to swing inwardly toward anopposed clamping arm toward a defined limit position, against the urgingof the biasing means which tends to maintain the section in its at restposition.

More specifically, an object is to provide, in a roll clamp. anadjustable clamping arm which includes an arm base that has a fixedposition relative to a frame in the clamp with the arm occupying anygiven adjusted position, and a forward arm section which is pivotallymounted on the arm base with its forward end permitted swinging movementbetween a pair of limit positions. Means defining the limit positions isinterposed between the arm base and forward arm section. in a regiondisposed rearwardly of the pivot axis for the forward arm section. Withthe limit means positioned rearwardly of the pivot axis a well-balancedand easily handled arm is provided.

With the preferred embodiment of the invention, both of a pair ofopposed clamping arms have pivotally mounted and biased forward armsections, as described.

Another factor to consider is that at times it is desirable to use thearms of the roll clamp backhandedly, i.e., as an agency for moving aroll by moving the outer, or back side of an arm outwardly against theroll.

Thus, a further object of the invention is to provide such a roll clampwhere the forward section of the clamping arm is permitted only limitedswinging movement inwardly toward an opposed clamping arm to enable itto be used backhandedly to move rolls.

These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparentas the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a clamping arm for a roll clamp constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the arm:

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, somewhat enlarged. taken generallyalong the line 33 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view, on a somewhat smaller scale, illustrating a rollclamp as contemplated in an attachment for a lift truck.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more specifically to FIG. 4 at10 is indicated generally a roll clamp in the form of a lift truckattachment, which includes a frame 12 and a pair of opposed clampingarms, or arm structures, 18, 20. The roll clamp is shown mounted on thecarriage 22 of a lift truck, with the clamping arms projecting forwardlyfrom the lift truck which conventional ly has such carriage carried in aforwardly disposed posi tion as part of a mast assembly.

Arms 18, 20 are each mounted on the frame for movement in a lineal pathtoward and away from the opposite arm. Such movement of an arm isproduced by actuation of a power-operated means, such as a hydraulicmotor or ram Inoi visible in the drawings). The clamping arms are.idaptetl to be positioned with one on either side of a load, such asone of the paper rolls illustrated at 24. 26. With the arms straddling aload. and when they are subsequentlv moved toward each other. they clamponto substantially diametrically opposite sides of the roll and onopposite side of the load center of th roll. Once a roll has beenclamped between the arms it may be maneuvered. as by lifting it orrotating it by operation of the lift truck attachment The arm shown aresimilar. and thus only one will be described in detail. Referring to arm18 in FIG. 4. it will be seen that it includes an arm base which ismounted on and projects forwardly from the frame, a forward arm section32 which is mounted on and projects forwardly from the arm base. and aload-engaging pad 34 mounted on the forward extremity of the armsection. Arm base 30 slides along frame 12. during adjusting of theposition of the arm on frame i2. With arm 18 occupyin any given ad u- -dpOSli' in the frame. the arm base is fixed in this position.

Arm structure 18 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 1 and 2. Onreferring to these figures it will be seen that arm base 30 comprises anelongated base plate 38 extending along the rear extremity of the arm,to which are secured two pairs of cantilever bars 40 exteiyiing normalto the base plate. Bars 40 project forwardly ftom base plate 38. Onepair of the bars is adjacent the upper end of base plate 38 in FIG. 1and another pair is adjacent the lower end. A pair of elongatedcylindrical bearings 44 are secured to the forward ends of bars 40. oneto each pair. As is best seen in FIG. I, the bearings are mounted withtheir axes aligned, and paralleling the base plate 38. A cover plate 46is secured to the inner edges df bars 40, this cover plate facinginwardly on the attachment and toward the opposing arm.

Forward arm section 32 includes a pair of elongated, substantiallyparallel exterior bracing members 50, forming the top and bottom of thearm, which are positioned outwardly from opposite ends of bearings 44.Rear extremities of the bracing members overlap arm base 30. A pair ofelongated, spaced-apart interior bracing members 52 parallel exteriorbracing members 50, and are positioned inwardly of the inner ends ofbearings 44. A plate 56 secured to the outer edges of bracing members50, 52, forms the outer side of the forward arm section. A rectangularcover plate 58 is secured to the inner edges of bracing members 50. 52such being located forwardly in the arm section from bearings 44.

Forward arm section 32 is pivotally mounted on the arm base, in a regiontoward the frame from pad 34 and from theioad center of any roll clampedby the pads, by a pair of elongated journals 62 having ends projectingthrough accommodating bores in bracing members 50. The ournals arerotatably received within cylindrical bearings 44. Each of the journalshas a cap 62a joined to it. which is secured by a fastener 64 to abracing member Journals 62 and bearings 44 provide a pivot axis whichthe forward arm section may swing about, with such movement being eitherin a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2.Clockwise movement of the forward arm section moves its forwardextremity toward the opposed arm in the roll clamp, and counterclockwiseswinging moves the forward extremity of the arm section away from theopposed arm.

Swinging movement of forward arm section 32 in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 2, is limited by the rear margin, orexpanse, of plate 56, which forms the outer side of the arm, coming intocontact with the outer face of a bearing pad 68 secured to cantileverbars 40 of the arm base. Swinging of the forward arm section in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, is limited by a stop member 70coming into contact with the inner face of this bearing pad. The stopmember is secured in place on the forward arm section, as by welding itto the edges of bracing members 52. The outer face of pad 68 and therear margin of plate 56 thus constitute a limit means limiting outwardswinging movement of the forward extremity of arm section 32, and thestop member and the inner face of the bearing pad constitute anotherlimit means limiting inward swinging movement of the forward extremityof arm section 32.

Biasing means, in the form of a torsion bar 74 (reference is made toFIGS. 1 and 3) biases the arm section to zi position intermediate thelimit positions just described, which position constitutes an at restposition for the forward arm section. The torsion bar is substantiallyaligned with the pivot axis provided by bearings 44 and journals 62. Thetorsion bar is mounted in place by securing turned over end portion 74aof the bar as by welding to a plate 76, this plate being secured byfasteners 78 to a pad 80 which is joined to cover plate 46 of the armbase. A turned over end 74b at the opposite end of the torsion bar isfitted into a notch 81 in a pad 82 which is secured. as by welding, toone of the bracing members 52 of the forward arm section.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, load-engaging pad 34 has an elongated,arcuate configuration, with its inner. or load-engaging, surface beingconcave. The pad is mounted on the forward extremity of forward armsection 32 through a pivotal connection 86 which provides a pivot axisextending substantially parallel to the pivot axis for the forward armsection. A spring 90, illustrated in dashed outline in FIG. 1, isinterposed between the pad and the arm section to resist movement of thepad from its at rest position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. As is seen inFIG. 4 the pad is supported on the arm structure in spaced opposedrelation to the pad on the other arm structure. with their concavesurfaces facing each other.

Pivotally connected to the rear margin of pad 34 are a pair ofspaced-apart, T-shaped limit members 92, which project through cutoutsin cover plate 58 on the forward arm section. The cutouts are narrowerthan the length of the cross bar 92a at the head of each T-shaped mem*her. The cross bar for each limit member is movable loosely within thespace between cover plate 58 and plate 56 on the forward arm section.Swinging of pad 34 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 islimited by the distance the rear margin of pad 34 may move before itcontacts plate 56 on the arm section. On swinging pad 34 in acounterclockwise direction. limit members 92 move to the left in FIGS. 1and 2. until their cross bars 92a are stopped by the convergence ofcover plate 58 and plate 56, to define another limit position for thepad.

In operation. and referring specifically to FIG. 4. an operator movesthe vehicle on which the roll clamp is mounted to a position adjacentthe roll to be picked up, such as that shown at 24. The clamping armsand pads thereon are positioned to permit them to be advanced with thevehicle to a position on either side of the roll. As is illustrated inFIG. 4, however, the vehicle operator might misalign the clamping armsso that upon driving straight forward, the pad on the forward extremityof arm 18 would be driven into roll 24 while arm 20 would hit roll 26.With the clamping arms disclosed no damage would occur to the rolls.since the forward extremity of arm 18 may swing outwardly and away fromthe other arm when it comes against roll 24, permitting it to slidearound one side of the roll. and the forward extremity of arm 20 mayswing inwardly toward roll 24, and toward arm 18, on coming against roll26.

When the arms are properly positioned on either side of roll 24, theyare moved under power toward each other, with pads 34 moved against thesides of the roll. The forward arm section of each arm structure swingsabout its pivot axis to its outer limit position, and thence is clampedagainst a side of the roll. The roll thus is embraced by the pads on thearm structures and it may be maneuvered as desired by the operator.

Should it be desired to use an arm in the roll clamp backhandedly, theoperator would maneuver the vehicle to place the outer side of theforward arm section of one of the arms adjacent such roll and then movesuch a unde power away from the other arm until it conrar [of ol Theforwa d arm section swings about its pHUl axis to its inner limitposition and then urges the roll to move in the direction the arm isbeing moved.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described. it isappreciated that variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention,

it is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a roll clamp including a frame and a pair of opposed armstructures mounted on said frame actuatable to clamp onto a roll, saidarm structures mounting at the forward extremities thereof curvedclamping pads for clamping arainst substantially diametricall oppositesides of a roll. tb Improvement comprising a construction for at leastone arm structure in the form of an arm base which is mounted on theframe for powcred adjustable movement toward and away from the opposingarm structure to place the arm sti'uc-' ture at different positionswithin a range of relatively adjusted positions with respect to theopptwing arm structure for the purpose of clamping onto a roll. said armbase having a fixed position on the frame in a given adjusted positionfor said one arm structure within said range, a forward arm sectionprojecting forwardly of the arm base mounting the curved clamping pad.

means pivotally mounting the forward arm section on the arm base forswinging movement about a'pivot axis located toward said frame from saidpad and the load center of a roll clamped between the pads of the twoarm structures. said pivot axis accommodating free swinging of theforward extremity of the forward arm section in the same generaldirections as the directions in which the arm base is movable.

first limit means interposed between the forward arm section and armbase limiting swinging movement of the forward arm section relative tosaid arm base in a direction away from the opposing arm structure beyonda defined first limit position for the forward arm section. and secondlimit means interposed between the forward arm section and arm baselimiting swin ing movement of the forward arm section relative to thearm base in a direction towards said opposing arm structure beyond adefined second limit position,

[The] the forward arm section having an at-rest position on the arm basewhich the arm section occupies absent holding onto a roll and with saidone arm structure positioned in different positions within said range ofadjusted positions, said at-rest position for the forward arm sectionbeing intermediate said first and second limit positions, the armsection in said at-rest position projecting forwardly from said frame tobe in a position to engage a load. and

biasing means yieldably holding said forward arm section in its saidat-rest position, said forward arm section during initial positioning ofthe roll clamp adjacent a roll thus being afforded limited play inswinging from its said at-rest position toward one of its limitpositions.

2. The roll clamp of claim 1. wherein said biasing means comprises anelongated torsion bar extending substantially along the pivot axis forsaid forward arm section, one end of the torsion bar being rigidlysecured to said arm base and the other end being rigidly secured to saidforward arm section.

3. The roll clamp of claim 1, wherein said forward arm section includesan expanse which projects from the pivot axis for the forward armsection rearwardly toward said ill frame and which lies adjacent rearportions of the arm base, and wherein said first and second limit meanscomprise means interposed between a rear portion of said expanse and arear portion of said arm base.

4. The roll clamp of claim 3. wherein said expanse of said forward armsection lies outwardly of said arm base. and said first limit meanscomprises a bearing pad on said arm base contactable with an innerportion of said expanse to define the limit position.

5. In a roll clamp including a frame and a pair of op posed armstructures mounted on said frame which may be moved relatively towardand away from each other to place them in different relatively spacedadjusted positions during the operation of clamping onto and releasingrollr, said arm structures having curved clamping pads mounted at theirforward ends for clamping against substantially diametrically oppositesides of a roll, the improvement comprising a construction for at leastone arm structure which includes pivot means interposed between theframe and the forward end of the one arm structure in the mounting forthe one arm structure, said pivot means permitting the forward end ofthe one arm structure and the pad mounted thereon to swing toward andaway from the opposing other arm structure with said arm structuresoccupying a given relatively adjusted position, said swinging occurringabout a pivot axis located toward said frame from said pad on said onearm structure,

first limit means limiting swinging movement of the forward end of saidone arm structure about said pivot axis in a direction away from theopposing arm structure beyond a defined first limit position, and secondlimit means limiting swinging movement of the forward end of said onearm structure about said pivot axis in a direction toward said opposingother structure beyond a defined second limit position, said forward endof said one arm structure having an at-rest position which it occupiesabsent holding onto a roll with the arm structures in a given relativelyadjusted position, said at-rcst position being inlermediate said firstand second limit positions, and biasing means yieldably holding saidforward end of said one arm structure in its said at-rest position, saidforward end of said one arm structure thus being afforded limited playin swinging from its .rat'd at-resr position toward either of its saidlimit positions.

6. In a roll clamp including a frame and a pair of opposed armstructures mounted on said frame which may be moved relatively towardand away from each other to place them in difierent relatively spacedadjusted positions. the improvement comprising a construction for atleast one arm structure which includes a curved clamping pad pivotallymounted on the forward end of said one arm structure,

pivot means interposed between the frame and the forward end of the onearm structure in the mourning for the one arm structure permitting theforward end of said one arm structure and the pivotally mounted padwhich it carries to swing toward and away from the opposing other armstructure with the two arm structures occupying a given relativelyadjusted position, such pivot means providing for pivotal movemen: abouta pivot axis which is located toward said frame from said pad on saidone arm structure, means limiting swinging movement of the forward endof said one arm structure and the padwhich it carries about said pivotaxis in a direction away from the opposing other arm structure beyond adefined first limit position and in a direction toward the opposing armstructure beyond a defined second limit position, said forward end ofsaid one arm structure having an at-rest position which it occupiesabsent holding onto a roll and with the arm structures in a givenrelatively 7 8 iiii mtmt flufiliiull. will! arrest position beingiizter- UNITED STATES PATENTS mediate mid first and XPCO/ld limitpositions, and 3 D7 209 3/1964 7 Maxi/t means \ieldablv holding saidfarwurd end of 3 153 563 @1965 gf it l d l'i ll 'n I Q u mid one armstructure in US said at-rest position with 4/1965 Biorklund a; g

aid forward end as held by mid biasing means being 5 afforded limite'dplay it! ywinging from its said at-rest EVON C BLUNK primary Examinerposition tmrnrd either 0; its said limit positions.

B. H STONER, Ja., Assistamt Examiner References Cited i'hc fuliowmgreferences. cited by the Examiner, are m of record in [he patented fileof this patent or the original 3l4653l patent US. CL. X.R.

